bonymaen
Phillip McArdle is a club sponsor and ex-player
of Bonymaen Rugby Club. He recently spoke to
Rugby Club Magazine, “I am a Bonymaen boy and
although I have moved to Bridgend now, and have
lived here for 19 years. If anyone asks where I’m
from I always say Bonymaen.
I came through the clubs junior set up as an 11 year
old and captained them too. I stopped playing around
the age of 32 but I still keep in close contact and l go
on tour with the boys to Ireland every other year.
Geoff Wheel was always my hero as a boy growing
up and still today and it’s always great to see
him when I get down to the club. I held my 50th
anniversary there and brought my mates up from
Bridgend. I had a tear in my eye that night, seeing
all my friends and being back on my home patch, I
have never felt as much at home as when I’ve been
sitting in the club at Bonymaen.
I am still a club sponsor with my business Argies
Coffee and help out whenever asked. It’s great to
see the boys enjoying such a good season and I
wish everyone associated with Bonymaen Rugby
Club continued success.”
20 this year still keep in touch
with us.
“We have players in the
current
Premiership
–
Richard and Ian Brooks, Greg
Cunniffee, Richard Williams
and Rhys Williams currently
play for Llandovery, Duane
Eager at Llanelli, Neil White
and James Bija at Aberavon.
“We are still suffering from
the hangover of the open
professional game that most
clubs in Wales bought in
to. We still have debts from
that which causes us most
headaches.
“In the next 5 years the main
challenge I see is achieving
financial sustainability. We
own outright 2 pitches, a
large club-house, dressing
rooms etc. - all the facilities
and more a club such as ours
need. Due to the financial
pressure we have a feasibility
study looking at whether we
should sell all we have and
enter a joint venture with
our local comprehensive
school – Cefn Hengoed and
the Council in an East Side
Community Initiative where
we would develop and use
the school facilities. There are
many views on this project
within the club and there will
be a lot of debate about what
is the best route. Meanwhile
everybody at the Club is
trying to remain positive.
“On the pitch our Senior Side
is looking at the possibility
of promotion back to the
Lee Davies played in the Bonymaen front row for 17 years.
He recently told Rugby Club Magazine, “I just turned up
and played and enjoyed myself, however work commitments
eventually took me away from competing - I still think about
returning sometimes.
The club have an excellent young side this season and are in
with a good chance of promotion. My company Goldstones
Solicitors have been involved as a match day programme
sponsor for a few years and this season have increased our
contribution to youth team and match day sponsorship and
are delighted to be putting a little money back into the club.
Bonymaen have kept their status as a non-payer of players
and the lads really play for the jersey and their club. The local
fixtures have been great to watch this season and I wish all
my friends at the club continued success.”
www.bonymaenrfc.mywru.co.uk - Twitter : @Bonymaenrugby
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